We deliver minimal footwear with maximum protection to men, women and children. ZEMs allow your feet to do what they were designed to do best in their natural, barefoot state: While wearing ZEMs you can spread, flex and articulate all parts of your foot – getting everything you need and nothing you don’t.

Why is foot freedom important?

Our bodies are designed to naturally absorb shock from movements like walking, running or jumping. Our feet have an instant feedback system and send messages to the body to minimize shock. When we constrain our feet by wearing traditional shoes or sneakers, this feedback system becomes distorted and muffled. It becomes more challenging for our body to react instinctively to mitigate shock. True stability and balance stems from the body’s natural ability to react and move freely.

Proprioception is key: Think of the transmission of sensory feed-back as the “information highway” between the nerve endings in a foot and the brain. When engaging in barefoot activities you allow your brain to receive data faster. It’s not muffled and diluted by the cushion effect of shoes. Feeling the ground more directly enables the brain to receive “pure” data, faster. Professional fall studies clearly substantiate that improved proprioception helps prevent fall injuries and increases balance and core strength.

FAQ: “What about arch support?”

An arch is a natural support structure. Like in a bridge or a church arch, it is constructed specifically to stand up without external help. When we support a support structure we in fact weaken its natural strength. A constantly supported foot arch has no chance to train and form muscles and tendons designed to naturally hold it in place. By supporting this natural support structure we in fact weaken the original, well functioning design and rob ourselves of our original foot strength and foot health our bodies afford us with. For this reason leading pediatricians recommend that children under the age of 3 or 4 years should not wear hard-soled shoes for extended period of times. At this young age the foot develops its natural strength and structure. Let it!

Re-condition your feet: It takes time. It takes knowledge. It takes patience. Reconditioning ones feet is an awareness process that goes hand in hand with education. A work out turns into a different experience when done barefoot. New muscles come into play (and might ache). Foot "grip-ability" and balance play a more significant role. One becomes more aware of the connection between the ground and the body. Running, core strength training, yoga and virtually any form of "on-your-feet activity" benefit from a barefoot training aspect. Potentially uncomfortable at the beginning it will quickly develop into a new way of being, training and experiencing the world beneath your feet.

Foot ID: Like every person and every foot is distinct. ZEMgear’s collections offer split and round-toe options which take that into account. We describe further benefits on individual product pages that we make available to our customers and sales team to inform and educate at an in depth level. For more info visit our website at ZEMgear.com.

Please contact our support team at info@ZEMgear.com for more technical info and education on Performance Protection for Bare Feet and the benefits of integrating barefoot training into your exercise routine and life.